Ohio University RN-to-BSN Program

Nursing Students Ohio University

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Since it seems that there's quite a bit of interest, I'm attempting to start a new thread devoted exclusively to the OU on-line RN-BSN program that will hopefully build on the comments on assorted previous threads.

I'd like to ask nevergonnagiveup, mtsteelhorse and babynurse73 - all of whom (I think) are either already in the program or have applied for admission - to post about their experiences. I just sent in my application and plan to post periodically about relevant issues. If we can populate the thread with good material, it could become a very useful resource for both those considering the OU program and students already in it. Once that happens, I'd hope we could prevail upon the forum moderators to make it a sticky thread.

As indicated, I've only recently applied to the program. So far, I'm happy with the support and information I've gotten. I've been contacted by an OU "enrollment specialist" who was somewhat helpful (I suspect that they have dual roles, one being to provide basic information to prospective students and the other to follow-up with the prospects and help to fill the roster for the program). This person e-mailed me, followed up with a phone call and was able to provide some useful, if basic, information about the program. I also sent a lengthy e-mail to OU with quite a number of specific, detailed questions. This too resulted in both an e-mail and telephone response, this time from an academic advisor in the OU School of Nursing. Again I received some useful and quite helpful information. All in all, my early experience has been pretty positive.

As indicated above, I plan to post about relevant issues that come up as I work my way through the admission and evaluation process. I'd very much like to hear from others about their experience with OU and I'm sure that there will be a lot of interest by others in our collective experience with the program.

Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.
This site helped me so much, I feel obligated to help. Lately I've been meeting a lot of nurses starting OU and the first thing I tell them is to become friendly with this forum!! Hope your doing well.....

Absolutely wonderful response!!! :yeah::yelclap::bowingpurAnd I picked up a few tips myself from that! Especially number 3, I have been guilty of that.

I forgot to add that as a browser for the class I use Google Chrome. I don't think that is a recommended browser for the class though. I did the browser check online and it seemed okay, however, I am finding it is not compatible with a lot of the videos so I just bring up my Internet Explorer for that.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

The first class is crazy and overwhelming. I was in the very first group of the new combined course in March. It does get easier, I promise. I'll tell you what helped me. I got a notebook, and they give you the video's and all to learn how to do the heading and title page and all for your papers. I went through and wrote it down step by step, so that each time I had a new paper, I could go through and follow the steps, rather than trying to remember or look it up. I also got post it notes, and went through the APA book and flagged the reference parts I used.. how to write the in text citation, how to reference a book, an online periodical, etc. That way when writing my references I could flip right to the page I needed. I haven't used the book since the first class, I only use OWL now. But that really helped me in the beginning.

If there is something particular you are needing help with, ask us on here. I log in and check every day usually, so I am usually easy to catch if you need help or don't understand something. You can PM me too, it comes to my phone.

Make sure you have the updated version of Firefox. I thought I did, was having issues in a class and realized I had an outdated version.

Specializes in Acute Rehab.

I am so glad that google helped me find this site! I begin the OU RN-BSN program on October 1, 2012 and I am begining to feel overwhelmed! Like many of you I work full time and have 3 young children (8, 5 & 4). So glad that I can come here for tips and encouragement! :nailbiting:

Hi Everyone!

I just started OU's online BSN completion program and am amazed that I made it through the first week. I originally graduated from an AAS nursing program in 1989 and now feel like I've been dropped in a foreign country and can't speak or write the language. I'm taking Nutrition 1000- not bad. The professor gives explict instructions, as well as helpful tips and everything is pretty straight forward. There is quite a bit of information to cover, but it's not awful. The Nursing 4510 class is quite another story... I feel like my head is going to explode. Every time I try to do the readings and assignments/ postings, I feel like a complete idiot. I sit in front of the computer, with that horrible APA manual on my lap- staring alternately at it, the assignment, the TA's instructions (never the same as the instructions in the posted assignment by the way), and the numerous books we're supposed to be reading.Then I start to hyperventilate & shake...Somebody... Anybody... HELP! What is the deal with this APA thing? That APA Manual is riduculous and the volume of information on OWL is overwhelming. My "student success coach" called me once and all she could say was "Oh... Gee...I'm Sorry..." I've asked several friends about APA formatting software. The responses have ranged from "Of course. Get whichever one you want. That's why they exist. Why would you want to struggle so much? It's not about the formatting of the paper. It's about what you write. My school recommends that we use XXX program." -TO- Ushering me into the med room, looking over her shoulder, like the FBI was tailing us: "Noooooooooo. You can't do that. It's against the rules. It's academic misconduct. You'll get expelled. They can telllllllllllllll if you're using one of those." PS- all my friends attend other schools, not OU. Did I mention that I've ended up doing all my postings to the discussion boards 4, 5 or 6 times each? The recommended Mozilla Firefox browser keeps crashing and erasing everything!!!!!!!

I welcome ANY helpful tips that anyone can offer!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks in Advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Using APA formatting software is not "against the rules" or some form of academic dishonesty. I personally don't use them and think that the applications are more trouble than they're worth since you not only have to enter the information but then check the outputit to make sure it really does conform to APA style. Many students use the programs successfully though. Try using one of the free on-line apps such as Citation Machine and see how that goes before you purchase something. The other thing to keep in mind is that using APA formatting gets easier the more you do it (great grasp of the obvious, eh?). I've frankly found the Purdue OWL guide to be more than sufficient and you can't beat the cost. Using it is much easier if you print the whole thing out rather than struggle with toggling back forth between pages on-line.

For your DB postings, I recommend doing them in Word beforehand and simply cut and pasting them into the board. That way, if you have any problems with something like say, a browser, all you need to do is repeat the cut and paste. I also use Word for my DB replies - copy the posting you are replying to into Word, then type out your reply (saving it of course) and post it whenever you like. Remember to include the name of the person whose post it was!

Speaking of browsers, I have never had any issues using Firefox with EPIC and really none with BlackBoard either (an aside: I think BB is a really crappy application - EPIC was much more user friendly and intuitive). Occasionally in BB, the mouse buttons for cutting and pasting don't work and you need to use the old-fashioned keyboard commands (Ctrl C to cut, Ctrl V to paste). I don't think this is Firefox-related and seems to be something in BB.

As you've discovered, the OU classes are very TA dependent. Good TA = good class and vice versa. Some TA's put a lot of clarifying and helpful information out there and are very responsive to Q&A questions. Others (thankfully very few), don't bother with any info and are very slow to respond.

On balance, I'd say the program is decent and I'm relatively happy with it. There seem to be quite a number issues cropping up now that are related to the change from quarters to semesters however and others related to the switch from EPIC to BB. Hopefully, these are teething pains rather than anything structural and will be quickly resolved.

Good luck in the program.

Thanks for all of the great information!

I am starting October 1st and I have a few concerns that I was hoping someone here could clarify since their office isn't open yet and I go to work soon:

1. When do transfer credit reports become available? I know DARS is going to be a while, but from the nursing school welcome e-mail, it sounded like I should be able to see some of the classes that transferred over automatically on the separate credit transfer report from my previous degrees. Right now the page is still blank and says no info is available.

2. When do I get an advisor assigned? It sounds like I should have one from the e-mail, but the box for advising online for my login is still blank also.

Scared to pay over $1000 between tuition and books without some of this stuff, ya know?

Thanks in advance!

Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

It took FOREVER to get my DARS. I applied back in early spring, and just received my DARS around the beginning of the month (Sept). I refused to start any classes until I saw what transferred. They were very generous with transfer credits. Prior to receiving the DARS, all of my transferred classes stated "No rule". I was unable to see what transferred. I am also starting classes Oct 1st. Kinda irritated that I lost a session, but it's not going to make or break anything.

I have had an advisor assigned since I was accepted. Never have used her though.

Can someone give me their honest opinion on Fashion & Culture class? I have a coworker interested in taking this class, but would like more information.

Thanks in advance!!!

Thank you so much for your help RNMom2010! I think I am going to wait to start the program as well because I simply can't afford to take general ed classes at out of state tuition rates if they don't accept my previous credits. The weird thing is that when I tried to drop the class today, I wasn't able to in their system. Apparently I can add whatever I need to, but in order to remove anything someone has to do it on the OU side. I was told to send an e-mail.. hopefully it won't take very long since classes start the following Monday. Thanks again!

The fashion and Culture class required weekly papers, discussion posts and proctored midterm and final exams. Assignments were much easier than nursing classes, grades seemed to be based on content and not APA format. Exams were proctored and timed. I enjoyed this class.

IT has been the experience of most that they accept just about everything. I wouldnt wait because of no DARS, etc. I did not get my DARS until ONE class before I was done .

Steph

Thank you so much for your help RNMom2010! I think I am going to wait to start the program as well because I simply can't afford to take general ed classes at out of state tuition rates if they don't accept my previous credits. The weird thing is that when I tried to drop the class today, I wasn't able to in their system. Apparently I can add whatever I need to, but in order to remove anything someone has to do it on the OU side. I was told to send an e-mail.. hopefully it won't take very long since classes start the following Monday. Thanks again!

Total agreement Stephparm. We all had to wait for DARS...and seems that everyone has been happy with the outcome. I would not wait for DARS. That is a waste of precious time! I had a fairly good idea what would transfer. And everything transfered. It really should come as no surprise.

I think that all of us that have been through the DARS process can tell you that OU is QUITE generous with transfer credit. Don't put off starting because of no DARS. I agree with the others here - you should have a pretty good idea of what is going to transfer. Check the catalog and look at requirements. Don't get too hung up on Tier 2 and 3 - Tier 2 requirement is a Jr level english class and the Tier 3 requirement if fulfilled by the Nursing Excellence class.

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